Council's parking plan a death knell for trader

A RUTHVEN St trader says his business has been delivered a death knell with the council’s latest plan to install centre parking between Russell St and Chalk Dr.

A RUTHVEN St trader says his business has been delivered a death knell with the council's latest plan to install centre parking between Russell St and Chalk Dr.

Udy's Quad Country owner Geoff Udy admits he's nearing retirement but that timeline has been moved forward as his business continues to bleed as a result of ongoing construction works and proposed parking changes.

"My figures have gone down proportionately with the construction chaos that we have had here in recent years," Mr Udy said.

"We wanted a break from construction activity for at least a year to let us get some momentum going in our businesses again.

"It's essential we have two lanes of traffic flow out here."

Mr Udy is the latest in a steady stream of retailers to speak out against the ongoing works at the northern end of the busy CBD street such as York Realty principal Mark Dietz.

Mr Dietz this week told The Chronicle the visibility of his newly leased Ruthven St office would disappear as a result of the CBD revitalisation project.

Ruthven St business owner Geoff Udy wants council to reconsider the plan to create centre parking in Ruthven St between Russell St and Chalk Dr. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At least five businesses in the area from Russell St to Chalk Dr were advertised for lease or sale.

Mr Udy's business was added to that list on Thursday, a decision he said was not made lightly.

He said the downturn in trade had also devalued his business.

"It is time for me to consider getting out of business but if I was doing business like I was prior to the construction, it would have a lot more value and a lot more attraction for somebody to take over from me," he said.

"So largely I have wound my stock down to enable a younger, more energetic person to take over.

"They need to know that there are months of chaos ahead once again as council rips up our street, disruptin gour traffic flow and exposure."
 

Originally published as Council's parking plan a death knell for trader